Table



Dec. 2, 1941. F. H. FARRINGTON TABLE Filed Oct. 21, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F. H. FARRINGTON TABLE Dec. 2, 1941.

Filed Oct. 21, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 2, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT caries I Frank. H; Farrington, Chicago, Ill; Application 21, 1939; Serial Nit. 30.0,618.

whims (o1: 311-93 M'yinvention relates to=.an improvement in tables;

particular impmvement' pertains to the folding and adjustable of table adapted to rest on the readers lap, or on a table; desk,- stand or the like, it being capable of being folded together flat or extended to various adjustments.

In the accompanying Fig. i is a view in perspective;v

Fig. 2 shows the table folded;

' 3 is'aviewinend elevation;

Fig. 4 is a view from the backzofthetable: and

Figs. 5, 6 and 7' are fragmentarydetails;

B represents the base, and T the top: of the table. The base and top are: connected together by legs and links, the extreme ends of which, are pivoted to the. top and base.

These will now be described. more in detail. Legs l are pivoted at 2 to the rearward edge of the base, and extend forwardly and are pivoted at 3 to the forward edge of the top.

Legs 4 are pivoted at 5 to the forward edge of the base, and these legs 4 are provided with slots 6 extending lengthwise thereof, and these legs will be referred to as slotted legs.

Links 1 are preferably provided each with a slot 8, which may extend substantially throughout the length of the links.

A rod 9 extends across through holes III in the legs I, from one side of the table to the other, and through the slots 6 and 8, respectively, of the slotted legs 4 and links I and through a sleeve I I, which constitutes a spacer and brace between the sides of the table to keep them parallel and properly separated. Washers l3 may be placed on the rod 9 between the legs and links I, 4, and 1 to hold them apart as clearly viewed in Fig. '7. A wing nut l4 or equivalent means is screwed on the threaded end of rod 9 as a means for holding these legs and links in adjusted position, and for unlocking them when the table is collapsed or folded as shown in Fig. 2.

Extension links l5 are slidably connected with the upper end of links I by means of bolts I6 extending through the slots 8, and an adjusting connection, which preferably consists of two bolts I! which extend inwardly through the slots 8 in the links I and a hole I8 therefor, through sleeves l9 to a turnbuckle 20, located at or near the center of the table, which turnbuckle has right-and-leit screw-threads at its opposite ends, so that by turning it on similar threads 2| on the inner ends of the bolts II, it affords a single centrally located means for tightening and loosening and adjusting these extension links for the purpose ofraising the top T'toits-high point and toward the reader; As a simple means of preventing the bolt l I- fromturning as the turnbuckle is turned, they have asquared area 22 where they loosely fit and slide in the slots 8- of the links I as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

The extreme upper ends of the link extensions iii are pivotally connected with the rear upper edge of the top at 24.

The-slots ll in the links I are preferably divided about midway their length into: two slots in any approved way, as by screws 26, which alsol'orm stops to limit the movement: of the links I with respect to the connecting rod 9 in one direction, and the inward movement 01 the link extensions IS with respect to the linksT.

"In the drawings, only a few'of different ad- J'ustine'nts; are illustrated, this table being capabio of a variety" of additional adjustments-and change of angle to suit the reader's convenience, and, as an extreme adjustment, the top T may be set in a nearly vertical position. In adjusting it, the table is generally first opened from its closed position shown in Fig. 2, and raised and locked by turning the thumb-nut l4. Then the turn-buckle 20 is loosened and the top T of the table may be swung over to a more upright position than would be possible without the use of the extension links l5, thus making it possible to swing the top over toward the reader in an almost upright position for the convenience of a tall person.

By employing the simple expedient of this centrally located turnbuckle 20, the operator can 7 raise the top to the position desired by using one hand, and manipulate the turnbuckle 20 to fasten the top in the desired adjusted position, by the other hand.

The central idea in this construction is the rod 9 through the center of the member which is hingedly connected with the top T and bottom B of the table, upon which rod the slotted legs 4 and links I are slidably connected through the slots, and by means of these slots the legs and links are adjustable with respect to this rod to any position within the limits of the length of the slots. Also by means of this rod 9, together with the spacing mechanism l9 and 20, the entire table is locked at any position by one lock. Thus in whatever position the table is locked, it is always perfectly balanced.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described including a base and top, legs pivotally connecting their opposite edges together, slotted legs pivotally connected with the opposite edge of the base, a connecting adjusting rod extending through the legs and forming a pivotal adjustment therefor, slotted links adjustably and pivotally connected with the rod which pivotally and adjustably connects the legs together, extension links slidably connected with the slotted links, and pivotally connected with one edge of the top, and a centrally located means for adjustably connecting the extension links with the slotted links for permitting the top of the table to be swung over toward the reader and locked.

2. A device of the character described including a base and top, legs pivotally connecting their opposite edges together, slotted legs pivotally con-- 1 legs and the slots in the links, means on the rod for locking the several partsin various adjusted positions, extension links pivotally connected with the top and slidably connected with slotted links, and an extensible rod extending through the extension links and the slots of the links with which they are pivotally connected for locking said slotted links and extension links in extensible adjusted position.

4. A device .of the character described including a support and a top, a meansfor adjustably connecting the top to the support, said means including two pairs of legs, one pair pivotally connected with one edge of the support and the opnected with the opposite edge of the base, a con,-

necting adjusting rod extending through the legs and forming a pivotal adjustment therefor, slotted links adjustably and pivotally connected. with the rod which pivotally and adjustably'co'n nects the legs together, extension links slidably connected with the slotted links,- and pivotally connected with'one edge of the top, a centrally located means for adjustably connecting-the ex tension links with the, slotted links for permitting the top of the table to be swung over toward the reader and locked, said means including bolts extending through the slots of the links and through the extension link toward the center of the table, and a turnbuckle with right-and-left threads connectingthe inner ends of said bolts, and affording a single means for locking the slotted links and extensionlinks in adjusted position.

3; A device of the character described including a top and bottom, legs pivotally connected to .iposite edge of the top, and the other pair pivotally connected at a point on the edge of the support opposite the pivotal support of the other pair of legs; these several legs having sliding pivotal conopposite edges thereof and having holes therethrough, slotted legs and links pivotally connected respectively with the top and bottom of the table, a rod extending through the holes and slots in the nection with one another, a pair of links, a rod extending through the legs and links and with which the. links-and one pair of legs have sliding connection, a spacing sleeve on said rod and constituting a spacer between the pairs of legs and links and forming a brace across the device from side to -side, and having means at one end for securing said parts inadjusted. position, extension links slidably connected with the links, sleeved bolts slidably connecting the extension links with the links and constituting a brace from one pair of links and extensions to the other, and a single means connected withsaid bolts for locking the links and extensionsin their adjustedposition, the two above-mentioned adjusting devices affording the sol meansfor holding the table top 3 in a variety of different angles and at the same time spacing and bracing apart all of the legs and links. 3

. 1 FRANK H. FARRINGTON. 

